Seniors can STOP

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Seniors can STOP

By Betty Smith

tahlequahdailypress.com, May 12, 2003

Many senior citizens find Lake Tenkiller a Mecca. Free from the 8 to 5 weekday routine, they migrate from the city to the rural area where they can fish, go boating and watch wildlife.

But leaving behind friends and their familiar environment also can pose problems. That's where people like Edith Bryant come in. Bryant, who has been in the area more than 30 years, knows all the ropes of lake living. And she's willing to share her knowledge with others through the new Senior Time Outreach Program (STOP), a new volunteer organization.

STOP will hold monthly meetings, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Thursday, at the Cookson United Methodist Church fellowship hall.

The program is multifaceted. It is designed to provide support services for people dealing with Alzheimer's disease, or widows and widowers. But mainly, it's an opportunity for socialization and fun.

"What we're looking at is to help members of the community deal with such issues as the loss of a spouse, the need for fellowship," said Roxanne Erickson, one of the organizers.

Cookson volunteers are working in conjunction with Tom Herrin of Go Ye Village to organize the support groups.

"We'll think of each meeting as a monthly party," Erickson said. "It's a community outreach for seniors from the rural lake area. Right now, we have 12 committed volunteers from various areas of the lake."

Bryant said she's looking forward to such activities as monthly sing-alongs accompanied by the piano.

"I think it's going to be a blessing for a lot of people," she said.
When Bryant moved to the lake in 1970, she knew the Methodist minister, so that provided her with some connection.

"When people come here they wonder which doctor to go to, and so many types of stuff," she said.

The increased migration of people to Lake Tenkiller has brought many changes. But Bryant still finds the environment pristine.

"When I moved here, there were just gravel roads, no blacktop roads going down to the lake," Bryant said. "It's just a little hunk of heaven down here to me. I've got deer all over the place, and I had little foxes come down for my dog food."

Erickson said the volunteers can provide networking, as well as fellowship. She said one man in the group is a talented electrician. Another is a cook.

"I've found out that Cookson is quite a community," said Tom Herrin, of Go Ye Village. "The more I know, the more I see you like to help each other. It feels like home."

He said as people mature, they become more dependent on others.

He is affiliated with the state and national Alzheimer's associations, and said they provide much educational material.

STOP will share that material, and also provide relief for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. The caregivers can leave the Alzheimer's patients at STOP while they run errands or just take a little leave time. It will give the Alzheimer's patients an opportunity to get out of the house in a safe place.

"The couple can participate together, or one can participate and one can go off to do other things," Herrin said.

The group will form a support group for Alzheimer's caretakers.

But STOP is about more than Alzheimer's. It's open to anyone who wants to participate. There also will be support and counseling on grief for those who have suffered losses.

"All the programs are going to evolve as needed. They'll change and be flexible," Herrin said.

He said people often have questions about medical care, and Tahlequah City Hospital is making many improvements. There are increased opportunities for physical and occupational therapy.

"They're developing a rural helicopter service where they can come out to this area and get you medical attention in minutes," he said.

Bryant said she has several friends who are interested in the program and have said they will attend the first luncheon next week.

The meals will include chicken and beef entrees, vegetables, fruit, sugar-free Jell-O and other desserts. The first ones will be similar to pot-luck dinners. The dishes will be easy to eat and not too spicy.

While the Cookson United Methodist Church will house the STOP meetings, the program is not church-affiliated.

"The Methodist Church is very kind to let us use the facility, but it's not a religious meeting. It's not preaching, it's a party," Herrin said.

Erickson said that while there are senior citizens centers in Tahlequah, Peggs and Hulbert, there has been nothing available for those in the Lake Tenkiller area.

"I think the central location is going to be an asset for us," she said.

For those who isolate in their homes or don't know other area residents, STOP will provide the opportunity to just be with others.

"I think sometimes that's more important than anything," Erickson said.